XEROSTOMIA IN ELDERLY ADULTS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN DENTISTRY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35220/2523-420X/2026.2.24Keywords:
xerostomia, hyposalivation, saliva, wound healing, oral surgery, dental implantation, postoperative complications, elderly, aging.Abstract
Aim. To summarize current scientific evidence on the role of xerostomia as a risk factor for postoperative complications in dentistry, to analyze its impact on reparative processes, and to substantiate the importance of assessing salivary gland function when planning dental surgical interventions. Materials and Methods. A comprehensive analysis, synthesis, and systematization of contemporary scientific publications were performed. Literature was searched in the international databases PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. The review included recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical studies, and consensus documents published predominantly between 2021 and 2026. Results. Current concepts regarding the causes of xerostomia in older adults were analyzed. The major contributing factors include age-related involutional changes in the salivary glands, polypharmacy, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, menopause, and radiation therapy. The biological role of saliva in maintaining oral homeostasis and the mechanisms by which hyposalivation adversely affects postoperative wound healing were summarized. Xerostomia has been shown to be associated with disruption of the oral microbiological balance, impaired local immune defense, delayed reparative processes, and an increased risk of alveolar osteitis, peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, impaired implant osseointegration, and compromised bone regeneration following bone augmentation procedures. A generalized pathogenetic model illustrating the relationship between xerostomia and the development of postoperative complications in dental surgery is presented. Conclusions. Xerostomia should be considered a potentially modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications in older adults. Assessment of salivary gland function and timely management of hyposalivation may contribute to improved tissue repair and better outcomes of dental rehabilitation.
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